Menzies Campbell with members of Cupar & District Driving Instructors protesting against the test centre’s closure.

North East Fife Liberal Democrat MP Menzies Campbell is continuing to fight against the closure of the Cupar Driving Test Centre and has again written to Jim Fitzpatrick the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport to press the case for keeping it open.

Menzies Campbell said, “The Minister has informed me that the Cupar Test Centre will close on 30th September 2008 but I am not prepared to accept this without a fight.

“I have called on the Minister to review this decision and to carry out an up-to-date examination of local circumstances which in my view more than justifies keeping the Cupar centre open.”

Ends

Liberal Democrat MP and MSP for North East Fife, Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Iain Smith MSP have expressed their deep disappointment at the decision by the Royal Mail to go ahead with their proposals for closure in North East Fife and have branded the consultation period as nothing more than an exercise in futility.

Commenting on today’s news, North East Fife’s MSP Iain Smith said, “This is an absolute disgrace. The Royal Mail has clearly ignored the views of the people in North East Fife. Gordon Brown and the Labour Government must take full responsibility as their instructions to the Royal Mail to unnecessarily close post offices have caused this quite unacceptable situation.

“I made a point of stating at the beginning of this consultation period that it should in no way replicate the shambolic consultation which surrounded the St Andrews Post Office last year which only acted as means for the Royal Mail to tell residents of their final plans. Again, it appears that this consultation is little more than a sham.

“It is clear that this is a Government that does not listen and a Royal Mail that has no interest in its customers. Rest assured that we will continue to campaign against this. ”

Sir Menzies Campbell MP said, “What is the point of consultation when the Royal Mail simply plough ahead with their original proposals regardless of public opinion and the undoubted inconvenience which will be caused.

“I am particularly concerned about residents in Lower Largo, Cupar, Guardbridge and in the Scoonie Road area of Leven. In my view there is an overwhelming case for retention of these facilities which has simply been ignored.”

ENDS

Following this afternoon’s (Tuesday) meeting with KPMG Director Gary Fraser, administrator of Curtis Fine Papers in Guardbridge, North East Fife’s MP and MSP, who have been spearheading the discussions, noted that there is still “a glimmer of hope” for the mill if a buyer can be found in the next couple of weeks.

Commenting, Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Iain Smith MSP said, “We have urged KPMG to do all that they can to keep the mill as a going concern. It is important that the window of opportunity is maintained to give any individual or institution the best possible chance to acquire the business. It is clear that time is of the essence in this instance.

“We would very much like to see the mill continue to make paper as the facilities and people are there for it to do so however, if paper making is no longer an option it is important that every step is taken so that job opportunities are created on site.”

ENDS

North East Fife MSP Iain Smith and MP Sir Menzies Campbell today (Monday) met John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary fro Finance and Sustainable Growth, in Edinburgh to discuss the future of Curtis Fine Papers after last week’s announcement that the company was in administration.

In a joint statement after the meeting the Parliamentarians said, “We had a constructive meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials. We emphasised our belief that everything should be done to try and preserve the business, and in particular that the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise should use all their contacts to try to identify potential buyers or investors. We were encouraged by the Cabinet Secretary’s response that he shared that ambition.

“We have arranged to meet the administrators tomorrow (Tuesday) when we will again emphasise the importance of keeping the business going.”

In light of the recent news that Curtis Fine Papers, based in Guardbridge, have had to call in the administrators with the loss of up to 260 jobs, North East Fife Parliamentarians Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Iain Smith MSP have issued the following statement.

“This is a devastating blow for Guardbridge and the local economy the paper mill has been a major employer for over 100 years and it is deeply concerning that 180 jobs have been lost with immediate effect and another 80 threatened.

“We have contacted John Swinney’s Office to ask for an urgent meeting with the cabinet secretary to discuss what the Scottish Government can do to assist either in keeping the paper mill as a going concern or to assist in finding new jobs for our constituents.

“We will also be seeking an urgent meeting with the administrators KPMG to explore the prospects for salvaging jobs at the mill. Furthermore, we will also be seeking an early meeting with representatives of the work force and are ready to assist wherever possible.”

ENDS